This is the html page I created for my ISTC 301 class, Spring 2012
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Responses/Reflection to Learning Styles and CAST Website Resources
For a long time I’ve known that I’m a visual learner. After completing the learning style survey, this just re-assured my understanding as to which way I learn best. It’s interesting to see how just a few specific questions can determine a certain “style” of learning you appear to be. As I read through my results I found myself already completing some of the learning strategies such as, color-coding. I am always color-coding for tests, assignments in my planner, etc. This is just another form of me always staying organized which helps the majority of the time. I also already find myself making flash cards. By doing this I can highlight or underline key words, which help me visualize the card when I’m recalling the information. It’s nice for me to see the strategies I already use, recommended for others.
The overall impression I had for the CAST website was extraordinary. It’s incredible to see how much thought and detail has gone into children and their learning styles. It’s also fascinating to see how much we have to learn about ourselves as future teachers as well as our future students. The framework that UDL provides really shows how to create a curriculum that meets the needs of all learners from the start. Students learn in a diverse way and our job as future educators is to teach in a diverse way. We have such variety in manipulatives and multi-media that we need to put to use. After reading through Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age I realized how we need to steer away from the basic books and speech and teach through digital text, imagines, and hands on activities. By doing this we can meet the needs of all our students and focus on their strengths as well as weaknesses. In my classroom, I plan to use variety of teaching methods and resources in the classroom. It’s important to learn your students in the beginning so you can alter the way you assess and teach them throughout the year. Although a particular style of learning may not be a strength for mine, if my students work better under those conditions then I need to adapt to them.
After going through the two activities I was intrigued to see an example of how differences brought to the table can benefit everyone in the long run. It was also nice to see how everyone does have a strength and by putting all those strengths together you can come up with something fantastic. In particular, after looking at the cooking example I could relate to Sheela. I am not a cook at all and don’t know much about it, however I’m good at planning, time management, and following directions. By working with someone else who can cook, I know that I can contribute in a positive way, even if it doesn’t necessarily mean cooking.
Overall, after looking over the CAST website I feel that developing differentiated instruction in the classroom is crucial. Every student is different, but that’s what makes it amazing. Every student has a different quality or trait to bring to the classroom, which is a learning experience for everyone. By creating differentiation in the classroom I can enhance my learning, strengths, and weaknesses as well as better my students. I would enjoy learning more about differentiation as well as the overall process of creating a curriculum that meets the needs of so many students. It’s great to see what CAST has done so far; I can only imagine how this will expand in the upcoming years.
Assistive Technology Question & Answers:
From visiting the websites and viewing the videos in Part I of the assignment, what information did you learn about assistive technology for disabled individuals? -After visiting the websites and viewing the videos I was able to see how much of an impact assistive technology helps disabled individuals. There are so many resources of technology that the students can use, which help them complete a lot of the activities other students do. Different programs on the computer and other devices can help students have their homework orally read to them and make it easier for them to demonstrate what they know. The assistive technology really does become a lifeline for students and it’s so important to constantly be advancing in the use of this technology so disabled students can have an equal opportunity.
Were there any sites, products, or resources that particularly impressed you and that you want to remember as you prepare to become a classroom teacher? -I was really intrigued to look at the ATTO Buffalo website. I thought this provided a lot of different tools to use for manipulatives. It also provided great ideas, as well as many computer programs students can use. Throughout the website there were many worksheets and different subjects of software that can be purchased to use for a student. This was definitely a website I can see myself referring back to in the future as I prepare to become a classroom teacher.
What promises/potentials does technology provide for students with diverse learning needs? -I believe that the technology promises, especially discussed in these websites, to provide students with equal opportunities. The software and other programs promote students abilities and allows them to perform just as any other student in the classroom. It also helps students feel apart of everyday activities and reassures them they belong in the classroom, just as much as any other student. By setting forth a positive example in the classroom, students are left with less room to feel discouraged from others.
Have you ever had a personal experience with a student or other person who has used some form of assistive technology to help them function in learning or everyday life? If so, describe what you observed from that experience in terms of meeting the special needs of those individuals. -Unfortunately I have not had an experience in working with a student who needed a form of assistive technology. I do have friends who are Elementary and Special Education Majors and they have told me numerous stories of incorporating every day activities into the classroom. They have also told me recently how much more they see disabled individuals in the mainstream classrooms and how the board of education is really trying to provide an adequate environment for all levels of students.
From this assignment, what will you carry with you as you prepare to become a teacher – one that will, most likely, face the challenge of meeting the needs of special education students along with non-disabled learners? -After looking through these websites and especially looking closely at the “Assistive Technology Enabling Dreams” video I see how important it is for students to feel apart of the mainstream. All of the disabled individuals have every right to be in the classroom and provided the same information as any other student. The student may not be able to easily express a thought or fact to a teacher or another peer compared to one student, but this shouldn’t downgrade their intelligence. The assistive technology in the classroom really does provide more opportunities for disabled individuals and they should be allowed this opportunity no matter what. I hope when the day comes that I am faced with the challenged of working with a special education student that I can have the necessary and proper technology in the classroom to assist in their needs.
Response to Virtual Field Trips: After looking through many of the websites I feel that the virtual field trips can become very beneficial in and outside of a classroom. The websites you listed were great resources that teachers can show students in the classroom as well as have students use them outside of the classroom to complete homework assignments and other varying activities. Some of the websites provided teachers specific lesson plans designated by topic and grade, which I can see myself using as a resource. Also, the British Museum is a great virtual field trip with a lot of information. I have personally used that website for assignments in the past and found it very beneficial. All the websites provide interactive tools and pictures or models, supported by detailed information. They all also provide a great use of technology for students and allow them the ability to incorporate technology in their learning. I found the websites to be very beneficial and can see them being used to assist in teaching a lesson on a specific topic, as well as an extra guided resource for students to use at home. Most of these websites provide detailed descriptions which can also be used as a study tool. I look forward to incorporating these virtual field trips in my classroom.
My MovieMaker:
My MovieMaker represents a video teachers could show their students before attending the Baltimore Aquarium. The video shows students what they will see first when visiting the aquarium, throughout the exhibits, and concluding with the last species they will see. This video gives students prior knowledge before visiting the aquarium, possibly prompting their desire to focus more on a specific exhibit. Most of these facts were taken off the Baltimore Aquarium website and the photos were taken by me at my last visit.
The reason why I ask about the use of technology in your schools is because of my personal opinion about its importance in the classroom. Throughout my teaching internships as well as other classes in the elementary education program I’ve learned and been able to witness first hand how integrating technology every day can have a positive influence for students. I feel that the students are more actively engaged in lessons when data is presented or solved on Smart boards, computers, Elmo’s, etc. The students seem to have more of an interest in subject matter when they are able to use such things in the classroom. In my teaching I want to make sure I have these resources at my disposal to provide the best learning environment for my students. I also feel as a teacher it makes my life a little easier with these resources. I plan to have assignments and other helpful tools linked to my IPad, where I can easily project these items on the whiteboard. I also plan to have a behavior chart set up through the application, “Class Dojo” where I can consistently monitor students behavior and display this throughout the day on the Smart board without taking important class time away, disciplining students. By providing such things in the classroom and incorporating different technology I believe I can provide the most beneficial learning environment for my students. After comparing my beliefs about technology in the beginning of the semester to now I’ve seen how they haven’t changed necessarily, but grown. I feel more passionate about technology and its use in the classroom than I originally felt. I always knew it was important and provided a lot of differentiation for the classroom. However, after taking this class I’ve been exposed to many more ideas and key ways technology can be used in the classroom. For example we explored this through our Voki, Glogster, Virtual Field Trips, and Movie Maker. All of these applications are great examples of differentiation you can provide to your students. Each of them can be used in an informative manner that is fun and different from a typical worksheet assignment. I’m happy to see my awareness of technology increase and I strongly believe I will carry these applications through to my future teaching.
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Responses/Reflection to Learning Styles and CAST Website Resources
For a long time I’ve known that I’m a visual learner. After completing the learning style survey, this just re-assured my understanding as to which way I learn best. It’s interesting to see how just a few specific questions can determine a certain “style” of learning you appear to be. As I read through my results I found myself already completing some of the learning strategies such as, color-coding. I am always color-coding for tests, assignments in my planner, etc. This is just another form of me always staying organized which helps the majority of the time. I also already find myself making flash cards. By doing this I can highlight or underline key words, which help me visualize the card when I’m recalling the information. It’s nice for me to see the strategies I already use, recommended for others.
The overall impression I had for the CAST website was extraordinary. It’s incredible to see how much thought and detail has gone into children and their learning styles. It’s also fascinating to see how much we have to learn about ourselves as future teachers as well as our future students. The framework that UDL provides really shows how to create a curriculum that meets the needs of all learners from the start. Students learn in a diverse way and our job as future educators is to teach in a diverse way. We have such variety in manipulatives and multi-media that we need to put to use. After reading through Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age I realized how we need to steer away from the basic books and speech and teach through digital text, imagines, and hands on activities. By doing this we can meet the needs of all our students and focus on their strengths as well as weaknesses. In my classroom, I plan to use variety of teaching methods and resources in the classroom. It’s important to learn your students in the beginning so you can alter the way you assess and teach them throughout the year. Although a particular style of learning may not be a strength for mine, if my students work better under those conditions then I need to adapt to them.
After going through the two activities I was intrigued to see an example of how differences brought to the table can benefit everyone in the long run. It was also nice to see how everyone does have a strength and by putting all those strengths together you can come up with something fantastic. In particular, after looking at the cooking example I could relate to Sheela. I am not a cook at all and don’t know much about it, however I’m good at planning, time management, and following directions. By working with someone else who can cook, I know that I can contribute in a positive way, even if it doesn’t necessarily mean cooking.
Overall, after looking over the CAST website I feel that developing differentiated instruction in the classroom is crucial. Every student is different, but that’s what makes it amazing. Every student has a different quality or trait to bring to the classroom, which is a learning experience for everyone. By creating differentiation in the classroom I can enhance my learning, strengths, and weaknesses as well as better my students. I would enjoy learning more about differentiation as well as the overall process of creating a curriculum that meets the needs of so many students. It’s great to see what CAST has done so far; I can only imagine how this will expand in the upcoming years.
Assistive Technology Question & Answers:
From visiting the websites and viewing the videos in Part I of the assignment, what information did you learn about assistive technology for disabled individuals?
-After visiting the websites and viewing the videos I was able to see how much of an impact assistive technology helps disabled individuals. There are so many resources of technology that the students can use, which help them complete a lot of the activities other students do. Different programs on the computer and other devices can help students have their homework orally read to them and make it easier for them to demonstrate what they know. The assistive technology really does become a lifeline for students and it’s so important to constantly be advancing in the use of this technology so disabled students can have an equal opportunity.
Were there any sites, products, or resources that particularly impressed you and that you want to remember as you prepare to become a classroom teacher?
-I was really intrigued to look at the ATTO Buffalo website. I thought this provided a lot of different tools to use for manipulatives. It also provided great ideas, as well as many computer programs students can use. Throughout the website there were many worksheets and different subjects of software that can be purchased to use for a student. This was definitely a website I can see myself referring back to in the future as I prepare to become a classroom teacher.
What promises/potentials does technology provide for students with diverse learning needs?
-I believe that the technology promises, especially discussed in these websites, to provide students with equal opportunities. The software and other programs promote students abilities and allows them to perform just as any other student in the classroom. It also helps students feel apart of everyday activities and reassures them they belong in the classroom, just as much as any other student. By setting forth a positive example in the classroom, students are left with less room to feel discouraged from others.
Have you ever had a personal experience with a student or other person who has used some form of assistive technology to help them function in learning or everyday life? If so, describe what you observed from that experience in terms of meeting the special needs of those individuals.
-Unfortunately I have not had an experience in working with a student who needed a form of assistive technology. I do have friends who are Elementary and Special Education Majors and they have told me numerous stories of incorporating every day activities into the classroom. They have also told me recently how much more they see disabled individuals in the mainstream classrooms and how the board of education is really trying to provide an adequate environment for all levels of students.
From this assignment, what will you carry with you as you prepare to become a teacher – one that will, most likely, face the challenge of meeting the needs of special education students along with non-disabled learners?
-After looking through these websites and especially looking closely at the “Assistive Technology Enabling Dreams” video I see how important it is for students to feel apart of the mainstream. All of the disabled individuals have every right to be in the classroom and provided the same information as any other student. The student may not be able to easily express a thought or fact to a teacher or another peer compared to one student, but this shouldn’t downgrade their intelligence. The assistive technology in the classroom really does provide more opportunities for disabled individuals and they should be allowed this opportunity no matter what. I hope when the day comes that I am faced with the challenged of working with a special education student that I can have the necessary and proper technology in the classroom to assist in their needs.
Response to Virtual Field Trips:
After looking through many of the websites I feel that the virtual field trips can become very beneficial in and outside of a classroom. The websites you listed were great resources that teachers can show students in the classroom as well as have students use them outside of the classroom to complete homework assignments and other varying activities. Some of the websites provided teachers specific lesson plans designated by topic and grade, which I can see myself using as a resource. Also, the British Museum is a great virtual field trip with a lot of information. I have personally used that website for assignments in the past and found it very beneficial. All the websites provide interactive tools and pictures or models, supported by detailed information. They all also provide a great use of technology for students and allow them the ability to incorporate technology in their learning. I found the websites to be very beneficial and can see them being used to assist in teaching a lesson on a specific topic, as well as an extra guided resource for students to use at home. Most of these websites provide detailed descriptions which can also be used as a study tool. I look forward to incorporating these virtual field trips in my classroom.
My MovieMaker:
My MovieMaker represents a video teachers could show their students before attending the Baltimore Aquarium. The video shows students what they will see first when visiting the aquarium, throughout the exhibits, and concluding with the last species they will see. This video gives students prior knowledge before visiting the aquarium, possibly prompting their desire to focus more on a specific exhibit. Most of these facts were taken off the Baltimore Aquarium website and the photos were taken by me at my last visit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACQPyZG405w&feature=youtu.be
Final Exam Response:
The reason why I ask about the use of technology in your schools is because of my personal opinion about its importance in the classroom. Throughout my teaching internships as well as other classes in the elementary education program I’ve learned and been able to witness first hand how integrating technology every day can have a positive influence for students. I feel that the students are more actively engaged in lessons when data is presented or solved on Smart boards, computers, Elmo’s, etc. The students seem to have more of an interest in subject matter when they are able to use such things in the classroom.
In my teaching I want to make sure I have these resources at my disposal to provide the best learning environment for my students. I also feel as a teacher it makes my life a little easier with these resources. I plan to have assignments and other helpful tools linked to my IPad, where I can easily project these items on the whiteboard. I also plan to have a behavior chart set up through the application, “Class Dojo” where I can consistently monitor students behavior and display this throughout the day on the Smart board without taking important class time away, disciplining students. By providing such things in the classroom and incorporating different technology I believe I can provide the most beneficial learning environment for my students.
After comparing my beliefs about technology in the beginning of the semester to now I’ve seen how they haven’t changed necessarily, but grown. I feel more passionate about technology and its use in the classroom than I originally felt. I always knew it was important and provided a lot of differentiation for the classroom. However, after taking this class I’ve been exposed to many more ideas and key ways technology can be used in the classroom. For example we explored this through our Voki, Glogster, Virtual Field Trips, and Movie Maker. All of these applications are great examples of differentiation you can provide to your students. Each of them can be used in an informative manner that is fun and different from a typical worksheet assignment. I’m happy to see my awareness of technology increase and I strongly believe I will carry these applications through to my future teaching.